Filtration system

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing organic contaminants from an aqueous phase in which the contaminant is solubilized. In the method the aqueous phase is passed through a fluid-pervious filtration media which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component. The absorbtion composition is cured in situ at the filter. The contaminant is immobilized at the media, and the purified filtrate having passed through the filtration media is collected as the product. The media comprises a central core which is surrounded and wrapped by a plurality of overlying sheets of further fluid pervious media, the overlying sheets creating void spaces between sheets for trapping of at least some of the separated contaminants.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Applications Ser.Nos. 60/588,142, filed Jul. 15, 2004; 60/587,773, filed Jul. 14, 2004;and 60/588,141 filed Jul. 15, 2004, and is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 11/179,051, filed Jul. 11, 2005now abandoned.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for removingcontaminants from aqueous systems, and more specifically relates tofiltration devices and methods for removing slightly soluble and/oremulsified organic compounds (such as an oil-in-water emulsions) fromsuch aqueous systems.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

In recent years many previously clean water sources have been found tobe contaminated with dispersed oils which are often present asoil-in-water emulsions. A further source of contamination arises frompresence in the water of pernicious slightly soluble organic compoundssuch as benzene, toluene, xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethoxylatedglycols, etc. These noxious contaminants are among the more difficultcompounds to remove from water, and indeed most are carcinogenic. In thepresent inventor's U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,010 it is disclosed that thecompositions described in the inventor's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,793;5,698,139; and 5,837,146, and 5,961,823 (all of which disclosures arehereby incorporated by reference) have extremely strong affinities forthe aforementioned contaminants in water; and that when aqueous streamscontaining these noxious contaminants are passed through filtrationmedia incorporating these compositions, the contaminants are immobilizedat the media, as a result of which concentration levels of thecontaminants in the filtrate may be reduced to very low values.

Filter configurations incorporating the said compositions may be basedon various water permeable substrates, such as shredded, spun orotherwise configured polypropylene or shredded or spun cellulose, whichsubstrates are infused or otherwise treated with the absorbentcompositions, which are then cured. These substrates may be packed orotherwise disposed in a cartridge or canister filter; or can be formedinto cured and infused bag filters which can be emplaced in canistersthrough which the contaminated water is flowed. Similarly the saidcompositions can be incorporated into or upon other filtering substratesand media, such as paper, including compressed pulp materials,particulate porous foamed plastics, mineral particulates such as perliteand vermiculite, and particulate, fibrous or porous ceramic or porous(e.g. sintered) metal substrates and media.

In a first copending provisional patent application of the presentinventor, a further filtration medium and method for its preparation isdisclosed which while incorporating certain components of the absorbentcompositions of my prior patents, has unexpectedly been found to havemarkedly superior properties when used as such an absorbent compositionin the filtration of organic contaminants from aqueous systems, as forexample in removing oils from an oil-in-water emulsion. These furthercompositions are prepared in part from the absorbent compositions of myprior art patents, which as disclosed in the patents are the reactionproduct of an oil component and a methacrylate or acrylate polymercomponent. The absorbent compositions disclosed in the aforementionedcopending provisional application are prepared by further combining suchprior art reaction product (herein called “reaction product A”) with aphotoinitiator system before infusing the combination into thefluid-pervious filtration media. Subsequent exposure of the infusedfiltration media to actinic UV radiation, effects a very rapid in situcuring of the infused composition, and results in a filter havingmarkedly improved filtration characteristics. Although applicant is notbound by any specific theory, it is hypothesized that the UV in situcuring may result in extensive additional cross-linking of the infusedabsorbent, with consequent hardening of the infused composition, andpore sizes in the filtration media may in consequence be much smallerthan in the filters of my prior methodology. Regardless of the precisemechanism involved, filters so prepared exhibit higher back pressure inuse, with consequent increased dwell time for the aqueous streams beingpassed through the filter. The filters are among other things found tobe much more efficient in breaking oil-in-water emulsions than filtersprepared by the inventor's prior methodology and compositions. For thisreason, and for convenience, such filters shall be referred to herein as“EB” filters, and the corresponding infusion compositions shall at timesbe referred to as “EB” absorbent compositions. In contrast the filtersprepared by the inventor's prior patented methodology and compositionsshall, again for purposes of convenience, be referred to as “PA” filtersand “PA” absorbent compositions.

In the general method for preparing an EB filter in accordance with thedisclosure of said first copending provisional application, ahomogeneous thermal “reaction product A” is initially prepared from anoil component and a polymer component, as in my earlier cited patents.The thermal reaction product A here is preferably prepared in atemperature range of 350° to 550° F., and more preferably at a range offrom about 400 to 500 deg. F. A photoinitiator system is separatelyprepared from a monomer cross-linking agent, a catalyst, and a wettingagent, i.e. an oligomer/adhesion promoter/cross-linking agent. Aninfusing solution is then prepared by combining the reaction product Aand the photoinitiator system together with a solvent such as acetone.This solution is infused into the filtration media, e.g. a conventionalfiltration cartridge containing a filtration substrate such as fibrouspolypropylene. The infused cartridge or other infused substrate is thenexposed to UV radiation for a short period, usually of the order ofseveral minutes to effect the desired curing. The EB filter is thenready for use.

In a second copending provisional patent application of the presentinventor, it is additionally disclosed that in many applications theabsorbent compositions of my aforementioned patents are improved by adrastic increase in the ratio of oil component to polymer component.Typically for example the oil component may be increased to above 95%and preferably to around 98% by weight of the two components. Thesehigher oil blends appear to have higher affinity for the more solubleorganic compounds such as benzene and low molecular weight chlorinatedsolvents. Also here the thermal reaction product of oil and polymercomponent is preferably prepared at a temperature range of 350 to 550F., and more preferably at a range of from about 400 to 500 deg. F. Thefiltration media that result after infusion, as well as the infusingcompositions, shall be referred to herein by the designation “HO”, whichis suggestive of the high content of the oil component

The term “absorbent composition” will be used herein as one ofconvenience for identifying the said compositions of my aforementionedpatents, and will be used as well in referring to the additionalcompositions disclosed in my cited first and second copendingprovisional patent applications. The specific mechanism by which thenoxious contaminants are removed from aqueous streams by conjunctive useof such “absorbent compositions” is not completely understood, and couldinclude attachment and/or fixation of such contaminants by mechanismswhich technically involve various physical and/or chemical interactions.The term “absorbent” as used herein is intended to encompass all ofthese possible mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Now in accordance with one aspect of the present invention a filtrationapparatus is provided for separating organic contaminants from anaqueous phase in which the contaminant is solubilized or emulsified. Theapparatus includes a canister having an inlet and an outlet for passingthe liquid phase therethrough. A fluid-pervious composite filtrationmedia is provided at the interior of the canister in the flow path ofthe liquid phase proceeding between the inlet and outlet. Thecontaminant(s) in the liquid phase flowing through the canister comeinto intimate contact with and are immobilized at the media. Thecomposite media is preferably in the form of a cartridge which isreplacebly mounted in the canister The cartridge composite filtrationmedia comprises a central core which is surrounded and wrapped by aplurality of overlying sheets of further fluid pervious filtrationmedia, the overlying sheets creating void spaces therebetween fortrapping and immobilizing at least some of the separated contaminants.The composite filtration media is infused with an absorbtion compositioncomprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil componentselected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes,and alkynes, with a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component. Thethermal reaction product here is preferably prepared in a temperaturerange of 350 to 550 F., and more preferably at a range of from about 400to 500 deg. F. The absorption composition is cured in situ at thecomposite filtration media, which can be facilitated by exposure toactinic radiation.

The wrapping of the core in the manner indicated affects the rapidityand degree of curing so that the polymeric compositions infused at theouter portions of the composite filter are at a more advanced stage ofcross-linking then progressively inward lying portions. This is due tohigher oxygen exclusion at the wrapped inner core (and inside sheets ofthe wrap), and where actinic radiation is used in curing, to increasedblocking of the radiation at inward portions of the composite filter.

Preferably the flow of the aqueous phase through the canister is in suchdirection that the flow proceeds from the outside of the cartridge tothe inside or axis. The central core and the wrapped portions of thecomposite cartridge can comprise different substrate materials and thetwo said portions of the cartridge can be infused with differingabsorbtion compositions. Also the number of overlying layers wrappingthe core can differ depending upon the desired application for theapparatus.

The filtration media of the central core can comprise various substratessuch as 5 micron/1 micron/meltdown polypropylene, reticulatedpolypropylene etc. The wrapped sheets may comprise Spun bond polypropylene sheets, or other porous sheet materials such as non wovenfabrics (cellulosic, glass fibers, spun bond polypropylene, Nylon,polyamide etc.); and/or woven fabrics such as burlap, cellulosics andother natural fibers. For convenience the composite filters andcartridges described shall be referred to by the designation “WR”, whichis suggestive of the wrapped sheets which surround and enclose thecentral core of the filtration media.

It will also be clear that the principles of the invention justexplained can be applied in other filter geometries, such as thoseemploying rectangular or spherical geometries.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

In the drawings appended hereto:

FIGS. 1 through 4 schematically depicts preparation of a representativeWR filter;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a filtration canister containing a pairof WR filters; and

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the maximum flow rate in gpm for less than 1psi pressure drop as a function of the number of sheets wrapped around aWR cartridge, as referred to in Example 6.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A typical WR filter can be prepared as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. A 5micron core filter 10 is wrapped in multiple layers of 1 oz. per squarefoot melt blown sheet material 12 and affixed using tie wraps. Thecomposite filter is then infused with a solution of the absorbentcomposition 16. UV light 18 is used for curing in FIG. 3. Less UV lightpenetrates to the core resulting in differential tackiness through thesheets. The finished differential viscosity gradient filter 20 is seenin FIG. 4. The viscosity gradient enhances coalescence. FIG. 5 shows afiltration canister 22 in which a pair of WR filter cartridges 24, as inFIG. 4, function in parallel. The system to be filtered enters via portinput 26. The flow to each filter cartridge 24 proceeds from the outersheets 28 toward the core 30, and then exits axially into a dischargereservoir and outflow 34.

The wrapping of the core in the manner indicated affects the rapidityand degree of curing so that the polymeric compositions infused at theouter portions of the composite filter are at a more advanced stage ofcross-linking then progressively inward lying portions. This is due tohigher oxygen exclusion at the wrapped inner core (and inside sheets ofthe wrap), and where actinic radiation is used, to increased blocking ofthe radiation at inward portions of the composite filter.

The WR filter of the invention may also be infused with the high oilreactant content absorbent composition disclosed in my aforementionedsecond copending provisional patent application.

Filter constructions utilizing the principles of the present inventioncan be based upon canisters or drums which are internally packed withcomposite filtration media comprising substrates such as mentionedabove, which have been infused with or otherwise carry absorbentcompositions in accordance with the invention, and wherein the infusedmaterials are processed in accordance with the invention. Since the PAabsorbent compositions of my cited earlier patents serve as the“reaction product A” as used in preparing the several portions of thecomposite filtration media used in the present invention, it isappropriate here to describe these PA aborbents in some detail.

The PA absorbent composition thus disclosed in the first of myaforementioned patents, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,793, is characterizedtherein as a coagulant product which comprises a glyceride such aslinseed oil reacted with a polymer such as poly (isobutyl methacrylate)which is then diluted with a solvent, such as2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate. The composition formedby the thermal reaction of the linseed oil with the isobutylmethacrylate polymer is a soft resinous product which, when diluted witha solvent, results in a mixture that in the teaching of the said patentcan be sprayed onto an oil spill or otherwise introduced to the oilspill to coagulate the oil. Additionally, however, and as disclosed inmy further U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,139 patent and additional patents cited,further experimentation led to the discovery of additional absorbentcompositions produced from polymers and a variety of natural animal andvegetable oils, fatty acids, alkenes and alkynes, which absorbentcompositions are all utilizable in preparing the filters of the presentinvention. More generally these latter compositions are the thermalreaction product of a polymer component with an oil component selectedfrom the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes andalkynes. The reaction conditions can be adjusted to provide a “firstendpoint” product or a “second endpoint” product. Preferred compositionsare disclosed which comprise the thermal reaction products ofmethacrylate polymers with a glyceride derived from a variety of naturalanimal and vegetable oils, or the thermal reaction products ofmethacrylate polymers with a fatty acid or alkene or alkyne containingfrom about 8-24 carbon atoms. The combination of a methacrylate polymercomponent with any of these oil components can provide either a first orsecond endpoint product, depending upon the reaction conditions. Theterm “first endpoint product” is used to describe the solubility productof the reaction which is a cooperative structure held together by manyreinforcing, noncovalent interactions, including Van Der Waalsattractive forces. The term “second endpoint product” is used todescribe the product of the reaction which is the result of covalentbond formation between the polymer component and the oil component, asindicated by the change in molecular weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the prior art product is synthesized from anisobutyl methacrylate polymer, and the oil component is one derived froma natural oil, such as linseed oil or sunflower oil. Optionally, thecomposition is then diluted with a solvent, such as2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate or acetone. The dilutedcomposition can then be applied to a desired substrate for use as afiltration media.

The polymer component of the said PA absorbent composition is asynthetic polymer such as polymers derived from methacrylates.Preferably, the polymer is derived from methyl methacrylate, ethylmethacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, or n-butyl methacrylate, or may bea copolymer containing a methacrylate polymer. Most preferably, thepolymer is a poly(isobutyl methacrylate) polymer such as that obtainablefrom ICI Acrylics as ELVACITE® 2045, or a methacrylate/methacrylic acidcopolymer such as ELVACITE® 2008 or 2043.

The test used to determine whether or not a polymer can be used inpreparing the prior absorbent compositions is to combine the polymercomponent in question with the oil component, to see if the resultantcombination forms a homogenous product after heating. It is stated inthe patent disclosures that the polymer component percentage of thecomposition should range from about 15-75%, preferably 20-40%, or morepreferably from about 25-35%, by weight.

In one embodiment of the PA absorbent composition, the oil component ofthe composition is a glyceride derived from oils of vegetable or animalorigin. Vegetable oils are obtained by cold pressing the seeds of aplant to obtain the oil contained therein. Of the vegetable oils, dryingoils such as sunflower, tung, linseed, and the like; and semi-dryingoils, such as soybean and cottonseed oil, have been shown to be usefulas the glyceride component. Animal oils, such as, for example, fish oil,tallow and lard can also be used as a glyceride component of thecomposition. It is anticipated that any drying oil or semi-drying oilwill work in the composition. Generally, a drying oil is defined as aspreadable liquid that will react with oxygen to form a comparativelydry film. Optionally, combinations of two or more glycerides can be usedas reactants with the polymer to provide useful absorbent compositions.

A glyceride derived from a drying oil, such as linseed oil, can beobtained from Cargill, Inc. as Supreme Linseed Oil, or sunflower oil.The glyceride should comprise from about 25-85%, preferably about60-80%, and most preferably, from about 65-75% of the coagulantcomposition. All percentages in this disclosure are by weight, unlessotherwise stated.

Where the oil component of the prior composition is a fatty acid oralkene or alkyne utilized as the reactant with the polymer, it containsfrom about 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 10 to 22carbon atoms. Such fatty acids, alkenes and alkynes are commerciallyavailable from many suppliers. Typical fatty acids include bothsaturated and unsaturated fatty acids, such as lauric acid [dodecanoicacid], linolenic acid, cis-5-dodecanoic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid[cis-docosanoic acid], 10-undecynoic acid, stearic acid, caprylic acid,caproic acid, capric acid [decanoic acid], palmitic acid, docosanoicacid, myristoleic acid [cis-9-tetradecenoic acid], and linoleic acid.Typical alkenes and alkynes contain at least one and preferably one ortwo degrees of unsaturation, and from about 8 to 24 carbon atoms, with10-20 carbon atoms being preferred. Preferred alkenes and alkynes arethose such as 1-decene, trans-5-decene, trans-7-tetradecene,1,13-tetradecadiene, 1-tetradecene, 1-decyne, and 5,7-dodecadiyne.

The said PA absorbent composition is a product with characteristicsdifferent from either of the starting materials or a simple mixture ofthe two starting materials, thus showing that a new composition isproduced by the thermal reaction. Specifically, the oil/polymerabsorbent compositions pass a clear pill test after being heated at theelevated temperatures and do not separate into two parts upon beingcooled but, rather form a homogenous, uniphase compound.

The solvent can be selected from aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatichydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, ethers, aldehydes, phenols, carboxylicacids, synthetic chemicals and naturally occurring substances.

The said PA absorbent composition used is prepared by a thermal reactionprocess. The first step of the process involves heating the oilcomponent (glyceride or fatty acid or alkene or alkyne) to approximately235-350° F. at a rate of about 5° F. per minute with continuousstirring. Then, the polymer component, usually in powdered form, isslowly stirred into the heated oil component. Depending upon theparticular reactants used, the oil component should range from about25-85%, preferably about 65-80%, more preferably about 72-77%, and thepolymer should range from about 1-50%, preferably about 20-40%, morepreferably about 23-28%, of the coagulant composition. After thismixture has been mixed properly, the mixture should be heated toapproximately 400-700° F., depending on the particular componentsutilized for the reaction, and the desired endpoint of the reaction.Typically, reaction temperatures below about 500° F. produce “firstendpoint products” while temperatures above about 500° F. produce“second endpoint products”

The mixture should be heated at that temperature until a clear pill testindicates that the reaction has reached its first end point, i.e., adrop of the reaction mixture when placed on a clear glass plate isclear. When a clear pill test indicates that the reaction has reachedits first end-point, the mixture should be cooled to a temperature below200° F., generally about 180° F. After cooling, the coagulant productcan be diluted with a suitable solvent to form a more liquid productthat is easier to handle and use. The temperature at which the solventis added is not critical, but the solvent should be added at atemperature where the coagulant composition is still pliable and thesolvent will not rapidly evaporate.

Two reactions appear to occur between the oil component and the polymercomponent based upon the temperature and time. The first endpoint of thereaction results in a rubbery viscoelastic, relatively soft product witha melting point in the range of 100° F. to 250° F. This first endpointproduct is homogeneous and does not separate upon melting ordissolution. This reaction occurs at 350° F.-500° F. This is designatedthe “first endpoint product” (solubility product).

In the second reaction, the polymer undergoes complete or partial chainfission into discrete polymer free radicals at a temperature above about500° F. At between 350° F. to 500° F., it is believed that partial chainfission of the polymer component (isobutylmethacrylate polymer has am.w.=300,000 Daltons) occurs at the end of the chain or in the middle.This results in a lower molecular weight product. It is believed thatthere may also be a solubility reaction occurring (similar to Sn and Pbforming solder) within the ternary composition. The occurrence of achemical reaction is confirmed, however, due to the change of molecularweight.

Reactions at above 500° F. and up to 900° F. maintained at temperaturefrom 5 minutes to 20 hours, depending on activation energy ofcompositions, result in the second endpoint product. This reaction isvisually observable by color, rheology, and specific heat change in theproduct [Note: For the first endpoint product the end of the reaction isobserved by change in color and a rheology change and the cessation ofsolution outgassing. There is also a change in specific heat as measuredby Differential Scanning Calorimetry]. The second endpoint product has aweight average molecular weight in the range of about 62,000 Daltonswhich is consistent with complete chain fission of the polymer,resulting in smaller free radicals which results in a lower molecularweight compound. The melting point of these products is usually above300° F. if the oil component is highly unsaturated, which results in asolid product due to the formation of highly bonded three dimensionaldensely packed molecular matrix. If the oil component has a low degreeof unsaturation, the resultant product is usually liquid, which isconsistent with this type of reaction.

The oily component and the polymer component are reacted in a thermalreaction that does not appear to be sensitive to the atmosphere underwhich the reaction is carried out, i.e., whether it is an inert,oxidizing or reducing atmosphere. Absorbent compositions have beenprepared by this reaction which range from soft to hard, and elastomericto brittle in nature depending upon the ratio of the oil component tothe polymer component and the choice of the polymer component and/or theoil component used. If the reaction mixture separates into two phasesupon cooling it is not useful for the invention. In this manner, anypolymer can be identified for use in the invention.

The mechanism of the thermal reaction remains to be elucidated. Whilenot wishing to be bound by any theory in this regard the reactionappears to be a polymerization or phase transition reaction broughtabout by heat and which is stable at lower temperatures. It ishypothesized that the elevated temperatures create monomer free radicalsof the polymers and copolymers which then crosslink with the unsaturatedglyceride molecules. It is also hypothesized that perhaps a phasetransition is occurring between the oil component and the polymercomponent. In an effort to determine what type of interaction orreaction is occurring between the oil component and the polymercomponent, thermal analysis of several of the absorbent compositions wasconducted. The results indicate that a reaction is occurring between theoil component and the polymer.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was thus performed on severalsuch compositions. DSC is a thermal analysis technique that measure thequantity of energy absorbed or evolved by a sample in calories as itstemperature is changed. The sample and a reference material are heatedat a programmed rate. At a transition point in the sample's heating,such as when it reaches a melting point, the sample requires more orless energy than the reference to heat. These points are indicated thetypical DSC readout.

Samples were taken at the beginning of the reaction procedure describedearlier and at the end of the reaction. The DSC profile for the initialstarting materials is dramatically different from the profile of theproduct. The initial profile showed two exothermic events when the DSCanalysis is carried out from 40-280° C., one event occurring at about100° C. and the other at about 217° C. In the DSC profile of thereaction product, however, there was only one exothermic event,occurring at about 261° C. The samples were taken at initial and finalpoints during the reaction and allowed to cool to room temperaturebefore being subjected to the DSC.

In the instance of a further reaction, DSC's of the starting materialsand final product were obtained. Again, the DSC curves generated showthat two thermal events occurred for the “just mixed” reactants whileonly one thermal event occurred for the final product. Thus, the DSCsindicated that the occurrence of a reaction or phase transformation.Similar evidence obtained from IR spectra analysis also confirms thatthe absorbent compositions used in the invention are distinct productsfrom the reactants used to prepare the absorbent compositions.

Preparation of the additional EB absorbtion composition of my citedfirst copending provisional patent application is illustrated by thefollowing:

In the first step a reaction product A of oil component and polymer isprepared as follows:

Synthesis of “Reaction Product A”:

378 g of linseed oil and 4 g of tung oil were added to a 5 liter beaker(1). The oil was mixed using a stirrer. Add 169 g of poly(isobutylmethacrylate) were added to the oil. The contents was heated to 425-450F. while keeping the contents mixed. The resultant polymer was cooleddown to about 100 F.

Preparation of Photoinitiator Mix:

85 g of HDODA (1,6 hexane diol diacrylate, monomer/crosslinking agent ofUCB Specialities, Inc.) and 50 gms of Darocure 1173(2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl-propanone photoinitiator catalyst of CibaSpecialty Chemicals) were added to 510 g of CN111 (a difunctionalepoxidized soybean oil acrylate oligomer/adhesion promoter/wetting agentproduct of Sartomer Company) in a 5 liter beaker (2). 1800 ml of acetonewere added to the mix and the mix was stirred to dissolve the contentshomogenously.

Preparation of Infusion Solution

The contents of beaker (2) was added to beaker (1) and the contents werewellmixed using a stirrer to create a homogenous solution of 40% activecomponents and 60% acetone solvent.

Preparation of Filter Cartridges:

A 10″ Spunbond PP ((polypropylene product of Osmonics) was dipped inbeaker (1) for 4 seconds. The filter was removed and drained of theexcess solution for 2-3 min. The cartridge was then exposed to 360 nmwavelength D type UV lamps. The final curing of the cartridges isrepresented by the optimal weight increase due to crosslinking of thephotoinitiator (Darocure 1173) with the monomer (HDODA, CN 111) andreaction product A. The rate of curing depends on the intensity of UVlamps used. E.g. using 600 W/sq inch intensity UV lamp @ 360 nm, curingtime=5 min. Using 1 W/sq inch intensity UV lamp @ 360 nm, curing time=5days.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following Examples,which are indeed to be considered as merely exemplary and notdelimitative of the invention otherwise described:

EXAMPLE 1

A cylindrical WR cartridge (with EB infusion solution) in accordancewith the present invention was prepared as follows:

Materials used:

-   -   Filter cartridge: 1 micron Spun Bond Polypropylene or        Reticulated Polypropylene cartridges. Dimension: 30″ ht×2.5″        diameter;    -   Size of Nonwoven polypropylene filter material/cloth. 30″ ht×94″        wide    -   The “infusion solution” described in the foregoing for preparing        a filtration media as in my first copending provisional patent        application.        Procedure:    -   1. The polypropylene filter cloth was wrapped around the        polypropylene cartridge so that the number, of layers of cloth        around the cartridge was 12.    -   2. The cloth around the cartridge was clamped using plastic ties        to hold the cloth in place.    -   3. In further steps “A” refers to the wrapped around cartridge        as obtained by 2.    -   4. “A” was infused by dipping it in the infusion solution for        4-6 seconds.    -   5. “A” was removed from the dipping container and excess        solution drained back into the dipping container    -   6. The “dipped A” was exposed to the UV lamps. The UV lamps        used: were 1 W/in2 intensity @310-390 nm wavelength. T curing        time depends on the light intensity. In the present Example 5        days under the UV lamps was used.

EXAMPLE 2

The same procedure used in Example I was followed to produce a furthercomposite cartridge, except that the infusion solution used was thatused in my prior patents, notably the “reaction product A” in a solvent.The curing procedure was identical to that in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 3

Performance Testing on Composite WR Cartridges

In this Example the performance of the WR composite media filters ofExamples 1 and 2 were compared to that of prior art filters. The priorart filters differed from those of Example 1 and 2 primarily in that thefiltration media of the cartridges(“control cartridges”) was not thewrapped composite, but rather a conventional cartridge commerciallyavailable from Perry Equipment Corporation. Compared composite andcontrol cartridges were infused with the same solutions, and identicallycured etc.

Cartridge (a): The wt of 10″ control PA cartridge infused with PAsolution of my prior patents: 160 g (10″ ht×2.5″ dia)

Cartridge (b): The wt. of 10″ composite WR cartridge infused with PAsolution of my prior patents: 235 g (10″ ht×2.7″ dia)

Cartridge (c): The wt of 10″ control PA cartridges infused with EBsolution of my first provisional application: 275 g.(10″ ht×2.5″ dia)

Cartridge (d): The wt. of 10″ composite WR cartridges infused with EBsolution of first provisional application: 345 g. (10″ ht×2.7″ dia)

Surface area of (a) and (c) cartridges:2×3.14×(1.25−0.5)=4.71 in2Surface area of (b) and (d) cartridges:2×3.14×(1.35−0.5)=5.34 in2At a flow rate of 0.16 gpm/in2 surface area of the cartridge on IMO testemulsion fluid CIMO Emulsion Test Fluid C:Residual fuel oil:Specific gravity: >0.87Distillate fuel oil:Specific gravity: 0.82-0.87Surfactant: Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonateParticulates: Iron oxide: 0-10 micron

3000 ppm of the oil in water emulsion is prepared using the abovecomponents and performance of 2 cartridges in series systems are tested.

On 10″ (c) Cartridges: Oil Holding capacity to 5 ppm breakthrough: 10 g

On 10″(d) Cartridges: Oil holding capacity to 5 ppm breakthrough: 35 gRatio of increase in oil holding capacity of (d) cartridges to (c)cartridges=35/10=3.5

Dry wt. of 2-(c) cartridges=2×275=550 g

Dry wt. of 2-10″ (d) cartridges=2×345=690 g

Ratio of increase in wt of (d) cartridges to (c) cartridges=690/550=1.25

EXAMPLE 4

In this Example the oil holding capacity of the composite WR mediafilter of Example 2 was compared to that for a prior art PA filter. Theprior art filter differed from that of Example 2 only in that thefiltration media of the PA cartridge(“control cartridge”) was not the WRwrapped composite, but rather a conventional PA cartridge commerciallyavailable from Perry Equipment Corporation. This is to say that bothcartridges were infuse with the same PA solution as in Example 2, andidentically cured etc.

At a flow rate of 0.22 gpm/in2 surface area of the cartridges, 3000 ppmof non emulsified No. 2 oil (Specific gravity 0.85-0.92) in water wasmade and performance of the control cartridge and Example 2(“composite”) cartridge were compared.

On 10″ control cartridges: oil holding capacity to 5 ppm breakthrough:85 gms

On 10″ Example 2 composite cartridges: oil holding capacity to 5 ppmbreakthrough: 185 g

Ratio of increase in oil holding capacity of composite to controlcartridge=185/75=2.46

The weight of 10″ control cartridge: 160 gms (10″ ht×2.5″ dia)

The weight of 10″ Example 2 cartridge: 235 gms (10″ ht×2.7″ dia)

Ratio of increase in weight of composite cartridge to controlcartridge=690/550=1.25

EXAMPLE 5

Performance of the Example 3 Cartridges.:

Oil Holding Oil holding Fltration capacity of capacity of media ofcartrididge (b) No. of infused cartridge (d) of infused of Example 3Polypropylene Example 3 Cartridge (grams) sheets (grams) 5 micron 135 1145 reticulated 135 4 185 135 10 300 5 micron  70 g 1 85 melt blown  704 120  70 10 240 1 micron  85 g 1 95 melt blown  85 10 275

EXAMPLE 6

In this Example different numbers of PA absorbent infused sheets werewrapped around a 10 inch 5 micron PA absorbent infused cartridge. Theappended FIG. 6 shows the maximum flow rate in gpm for less than 1 psipressure drop as a function of the number of sheets wrapped around thecartridge.

While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specificembodiments thereof, the instant disclosure is such that numerousvariations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in theart, which variations yet reside within the scope of the presentteaching. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed andlimited only by the scope and spirit of the claims now appended hereto.

1. A filtration apparatus for separating organic contaminants from anaqueous phase in which the contaminant is solubilized or emulsified,comprising: a canister having an inlet and an outlet for passing saidaqueous phase therethrough; a fluid-pervious media being provided at theinterior of said canister in the flow path of the aqueous phaseproceeding between said inlet and outlet, said media being infused withan absorbent composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reactionproduct of an oil component selected from the group consisting ofglycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, with a methacrylate oracrylate polymer component; said absorbent composition being cured insitu at the media by the infused media being subsequently exposed toactinic UV radiation; said contaminants in the aqueous phase flowingthrough said canister thereby coming into intimate contact with andbeing immobilized at said media; and said media comprising a centralcore which is surrounded and wrapped by a plurality of overlying sheetsof further fluid pervious media and the actinic UV radiation penetratingto said core resulting in differential tackiness through the sheets, theoverlying sheets creating void spaces between sheets for trapping of atleast some of the separated contaminants.
 2. A filtration system inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said absorbent composition used totreat said fluid-pervious filtration media is further treated such thatsaid absorbent composition following thermal reaction is combined with aphotoinitiator system before infusing the combination into saidfluid-pervious filtration media.
 3. A filtration system in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the oil component used in preparing the absorbentcomposition is greater than 95% by weight of the two reacted components.4. A filtration system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said centralcore and overlying sheets define a replaceable cartridge for emplacementin said canister.
 5. A filtration system in accordance with claim 4,wherein a plurality of said cartridges are present in said canister. 6.A filtration system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said media ispositioned within said canister so that the aqueous phase being filteredflows radially inward through the plural sheets to the axis of saidcore, and then flows axially out from said core.